The Braves (2-5) went 0-2 on the final day of the Denali State Ice Block Classic losing 3-0 to Alaska Anchorage and 3-1 to the tournament host Alaska Fairbanks.
Game 1 vs Alaska Anchorage
The Braves started the day with a match against the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. The Seawolves dominated the first set early going out to a 6-0 lead. The Braves bounced back with two of their own, but they were not able to keep up with the Seawolves attack. With a 9-4 lead, the Seawolves rallied off five straight points to take a 10 point lead 14-4. The Seawolves would go on to win the set 25-12
The second set started out with more of the same for the Seawolves as they started off with a 4-1 lead. After going down 8-4, the Braves rallied back by scoring 4 straight points to tie the game at 8. This would prove futile as the Seawolves would score 7 straight making it 15-8. The Braves were never able to come back from that as they went on to lose 25-16
The Seawolves continued their pressure on the Braves as they went on a 11-2 run to start the third set. The Braves never recovered from this and lost the set 25-11 and lost the series 3-0.
Game 2 vs Alaska Fairbanks
After taking a 4-3 lead to start the first set, the Alaska Fairbanks Nanook’s went on a 10-1 scoring run to blow the game open. The teams then traded points until it was 18-10 and the Nanooks went on another 4 point run making it 22-10 and eventually winning the set 25-13
The Braves played the second set much better than they’ve played the rest of the sets so far on the day. After trading points early and taking a 8-7 lead, the braves would go on a 6-1 run to take a commanding 14-8 lead. After a Nanooks attack error to make it 19-13 Braves, the Nanooks stormed back scoring 6 in a row to tie the game at 19. With the game 23-22 Braves, the Braves were able to take advantage of back to back Nanooks attack errors to take the set 25-22 and win their first set of the day.
After taking a 6-5 lead in the third set the Nanooks went on a dominating 12-1 run to take a 18-6 lead. With the game 22-10 the Braves rallied off four straight points to make it a 22-14 game. The Braves were not able to recover from the poor start however as they would lose 25-15.
The Braves started the fourth set with their backs against the wall trying to come back into this match. It started good for the Braves as they were able to jump out to an early 4-2 start. However, the Nanooks responded with a 9-3 run of their own to take a 11-5 lead. A Precious Daley kill brought the Braves back within 4 at 12-8. The Nanooks ended the set on a 13-6 run to take the set and win the match with a final score of 3-1.
What’s Next?
The Braves are back in the Carolina’s this week as they will face the North Greenville Trailblazers on Wednesday in Tigerville, SC to start Conference Carolina’s play.